MEMPHIS, Tenn. — One of the Memphis officers charged in the beating and death of Tyre Nichols took a picture of him as he was handcuffed and leaning against the side of a police car and sent it to multiple people, a statement of charges for the incident said.
Former officer Demetrius Haley texted a photo to at least five people, according to the statement, which was sent by the Memphis Police Department in its request to have Haley and former officers Tadarrius Bean, Justin Smith, Desmond Mills, and Emmitt Martin III decertified. The statement was obtained through a public records request.
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“On [Haley’s] personal cell phone, [Haley] took two photographs while standing in front of the obviously injured subject after he was handcuffed,” the document reads. “[Haley] admitted [he] shared the photo in a text message with five people; one civilian employee, two MPD officers, and one female acquaintance.”
The memo says a sixth person was later found to have received the same photograph.
Haley is one of six officers fired from the police department in recent weeks. He is also one of five who were indicted on multiple criminal charges, including second-degree murder and aggravated assault.
The Memphis Police Department declined to comment Tuesday afternoon. Haley’s attorney, Michael Stengel of Memphis, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Story Credit: usatoday.com